Ontario man makes history crossing all five Great Lakes
Mike Shoreman has done it. The Toronto-born man has crossed all five Great Lakes in one summer on a paddleboard.
”It’s been a lot so I’m very emotional, but I’m really happy,” Shoreman said after reaching the northwest shore of Lake Ontario in Toronto on Saturday.
His mother Bernadette said her son likes to think big, “and here we are today. He's crossed them all, it's amazing!”
The last time someone completed the journey was in 1988. According to Shoreman and his team, this is the very first time the feat has been accomplished by a person with a disability.
“I don't know how he came up with this idea, but it's pretty incredible,” said Shoreman's father, Roger.
“And to do all five lakes it's pretty amazing.”
Shoreman started his journey in May at Lake Erie, before paddling through Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and Lake Michigan.
Mike Shoreman is seen in this image crossing one of the five Great Lakes on his paddleboard.
Shoreman was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome in 2018, severely impacting his vision, speech and mobility -- bringing his paddleboarding business to a halt.
He said his Great Lakes adventure was inspired by wanting to give back to those who helped him during what he describes as a mental breakdown following his diagnosis.
He partnered with Jack.org, a national youth mental health organization, to support the cause.
“My goal with this is to help put mental health programs and services that they provide in schools, high schools, colleges and universities here in Ontario,” said Shoreman, “and in every provinces and territory.”
Mike Shoreman speaks to reporters after successfully crossing all five Great Lakes on his paddleboard.
Shoreman’s resiliency and message rippling through his supporters, and inspiring those who have watched his journey.
“Mike did it. It shows how successful he is. What an accomplishment. He has set a great example for young Canadians,” said former mayor of Mississauga Hazel Mccallion, who was in attendance as Shoreman reached the shore.
“Canadian young people are watching this and they're seeing Canadians show up and they're seeing that people care. And that's really important,” Shoreman said.
So far, Shoreman and his team have raised almost $64,000 dollars for Jack.org.
Their website will remain open as they push to reach their fundraising goal of $100,000 dollars.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
BREAKING Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.